TO2015 officially breaks ground on new athletics stadium at York University

Canada NewsWire

TORONTO, Nov. 19, 2012

TORONTO, Nov. 19, 2012 /CNW/ -Sprinters, shot-putters and wheelchair racers will go for gold in front
of thousands of fans at a brand-new athletics stadium at York
University during the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games,
organizers announced today.

Known as the CIBC Pan Am and Parapan Am Athletics Stadium during Games
time, the venue is jointly funded by the Government of Canada and York
University. Located adjacent to the city-operated Toronto Track & Field
Centre, the stadium will officially open in July 2014—a year before the
largest Games Canada has ever hosted arrive on campus.

"In 2015, York University's new stadium will be abuzz with excitement as
spectators cheer on some of the world's top athletes to achieve
spectacular triumphs," said Ian Troop, Chief Executive Officer of the
Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015).

"This stadium is a great way to ensure York students, the community and
high-performance athletes have access to much needed recreation,
training and competition facilities," he added.

The stadium will build on the world-class athletics infrastructure
already present at York University, including the Toronto Track & Field
Centre, which will serve as an athlete training and warm-up facility
during the Games. The City of Toronto is replacing the centre's indoor
and outdoor tracks in time for the Games, as well as those at
Birchmount Stadium and Centennial Park Stadium.

Several Canadian Olympians have trained at the Toronto Track & Field
Centre, including 2008 bronze medal-winning hurdler Priscilla
Lopes-Schliep and sprinter Justyn Warner, a member of the men's
4x100-metre relay team at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"York University is pleased to be a part of the TORONTO 2015 Games,"
said Dr. Mamdouh Shoukri, President and Vice-Chancellor, York
University. "This new state-of-the-art athletics stadium will enhance
the experience not only for our students and athletes, but will also
create a lasting legacy for community members for years to come."

The fully accessible stadium is designed for certification by the
International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) as a Class 1
track suitable for hosting Olympic and other top-tier competitions.

It will have a 400-metre track and an infield that supports throwing and
jumping disciplines, as well as a scoreboard, professional broadcast
capabilities, athlete change rooms, equipment storage, classroom space,
as well as permanent seating for 3,000 spectators with an additional
2,000 temporary seats. At Games time, seating for 12,500 spectators
will be available.

Spectators in the grandstand will have an unobstructed view of the field
of play, as well as the natural landscape of the campus's protected
Boyer Woodlot.

The overall project costs for the athletics stadium are anticipated to
come in at $45.5 million, which includes $34.9 million to design, build
and finance the project. The remainder is comprised of capital
expenditures for equipment, transaction fees, project management, and
other ancillary costs. The project is on budget and construction is
underway.

"The Harper Government's investment in the 2015 Pan and Parapan Am Games
will ensure that our athletes train and compete in state-of-the-art
facilities during the Games and beyond," said the Honourable Bal Gosal,
Minister of State (Sport). "Today's announcement will play a key role
in boosting the Greater Toronto Area's reputation as an international
hotspot for sport, while also leaving behind a lasting legacy in
community recreation."

"This is a great day for York University and the Greater Toronto Area,"
said Mark Adler, Member of Parliament (York Centre). "In addition to
hosting a series of events during the 2015 Pan and Parapan American
Games, these venues will continue to serve local families in our
community. We look forward to welcoming the Americas to Canada in only
a few short years, as well as to the economic boost it will bring to
our region, province, and country for years to come."

"The McGuinty government's support for the People's Games will benefit
the community in significant ways," said Michael Chan, Ontario's
Minister responsible for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games. "This
new facility will provide our athletes, students and residents a place
to train and compete at home and an opportunity to shine on the World
Stage during the 2015 Games."

Earlier this fall, Infrastructure Ontario awarded the contract for the
athletics stadium to Ontario Sports Solutions (ONSS) through a public
tendering process. The consortium consists of developers and
constructors Bouygues Building Canada Inc. and Kenaidan Contracting
Ltd., as well as the design team of Cannon Design, FaulknerBrowns
Architects, Arup and Morrison Hershfield.

ONSS is also responsible for the Milton Pan Am and Parapan Am Velodrome,
Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium and track resurfacing at three City of
Toronto sport facilities.

"Toronto is gearing up to be the best Host City ever for the Pan Am and
Parapan Am Games," said TorontoMayor Rob Ford. "York University is one
of several Games venues in our city and we look forward to welcoming
athletes to our great training venues throughout the City at the
Toronto Track and Field Centre, Birchmount Stadium and Centennial
Park."

"These Games will be an enormous opportunity for Canada, for Ontario and
for the Greater Toronto Area," said Jon Hountalas, Executive
Vice-President, Business Banking, CIBC. "CIBC is proud to associate our
brand with another key Games venue that will be enjoyed by York
students and the whole community for years to come."

Earlier this year, TO2015 announced the venue clusters and sport
programs for both the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, as well
as budget details for both Games. TO2015 will issue its first quarterly
budget update on Tuesday, November 20.

About the TORONTO 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games
The Pan American and Parapan American Games are one of the world's
largest international multi-sport events, held every four years for
athletes of the 41 member nations of the Pan American Sports
Organization (PASO) and 26 member nations of the Americas Paralympic
Committee (APC). The Pan American Games are comprised of all Olympic
Summer Games sports, as well as traditional Pan American sports, while
the Parapan American Games are comprised of the majority of Paralympic
Summer Games sports. The TORONTO 2015 Pan American/Parapan American
Games will draw more than 10,000 athletes, coaches and team officials
and feature 51 sports in municipalities across the Greater Golden
Horseshoe area. The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place
July 10−26 and the Parapan American Games August 7-14. For more
information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org.